Santon 'Escapes' Ban

18 May 2013 12:30:56

Davide Santon has been spared a driving ban for speeding after a court heard his girlfriend is due to give birth next week.

Accompanied by his heavily pregnant partner Chloe Sanderson the 22-year-old pleaded guilty to driving at 99mph in a 70mph zone on December 3 of last year.The city's magistrates' court heard Santon had been 'anxious' to get to his home in Ponteland.At Newcastle Magistrates' Court chairman of the bench John Phillips handed the Italian footballer five penalty points plus a fine costs of £325He told the footballer: "You have got to calm your driving down."You have got to remember that you are a beacon for a lot of young male drivers in this country."They look up to you as a hero and you must be a good example to them."Defence barrister Chris Mitford told the court that it 'had been the end of a very long day'."It is not a case where he was showing off, he was anxious to get home."If he had not been Italian he would have just got three penalty points and not be facing the possibility that you might disqualify him."A disqualification for him will be very difficult. His current circumstances are that his girlfriend is about to give birth,"